We aim to help you make informed decisions about both traditional and alternative treatments.

On December 27, 2014 we first heard about the possibility that a flu shot could lead to persistent arm pain. Don V. shared his experience with the relatively new "Quad" influenza vaccine. This quadriv…

Drug company marketing executives hate having to warn people about dangerous drug complications and side effects. Imagine a car salesman trying to sell a car but having to warn customers that there is…

Q. I have been looking for ways to get rid of rosacea and have tried a number of products over the seven years I've had this problem. Finally, a local herbalist gave me an herbal blend cream; the acti…

Q. I've been a long-time user of Celebrex. Then my pharmacy gave me the generic. After the first week, I had pain all over and found I could do fewer and fewer things I've always found easy. My hour o…

Q. I saw a recent question about calming hot flashes, and it inspired me to share my experience with the herbal remedy pycnogenol. After a few weeks of 15 to 20 hot flashes per day, I found a small me…

Q. I have been taking acid-suppressing drugs like omeprazole for more than 20 years. After reading about the side effects of such drugs, I am ready to quit. I understand that this can be painful. I re…

Q. A letter writer who suggested that a "placebo effect" is not possible with dogs was mistaken. The person had used a bar of soap under the dog's bed to treat arthritis. There is a very large placebo…

Q. Will horse chestnut help varicose veins? Is there anything else I can do to ease this discomfort? My legs feel so heavy and tired at the end of the day. A. Varicose veins have become enlarged. They…

Heated disagreements about whether or not Americans all need to reduce their salt intake have reached the Wall Street Journal. Many public health agencies recommend that we cut back on salt to lower b…

Q. I know it is spring, but my hands really took a beating this winter. They are still so dry they are painful. What do you recommend? A. We are quite partial to Udderly Smooth Extra Care 20 Cream fro…

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has stirred up controversy with its evaluation of two pesticides as probable carcinogens. The compounds are malathion, commonly used in mosquito control…

A fall can be devastating for an older person. Breaking a hip is associated with a high risk of premature death as a result of complications. Fall Prevention That's why doctors are interested in ways …

Some epidemiological studies have shown that two chronic conditions, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, are more common in people with low levels of vitamin D. Now scientists have uncovered some impor…

Many people are prescribed statins to lower their likelihood of cardiovascular disease. They may be told these drugs will be needed for the rest of their lives. Limited Life Expectancy But what if the…

Q. I have been diagnosed with vertigo (BPPV) and it's the worst. Any time I move my head the world spins. But I recently found a study linking vitamin D deficiency to BPPV. My level was really low and…

Q. Has anyone done some investigative journalism to expose why several generic medication prices have skyrocketed? My clobetasol ointment has gone up 300 percent over the last year. My understanding i…

It can take years for the FDA to recognize a drug interaction problem. That's because there is no organized system for anticipating or testing potentially dangerous drug combinations. Alcohol and Chan…

Q. I am interested in information about preventing dementia. What drugs should someone avoid to prevent memory loss? Are there any drugs that might help? Please answer in the newspaper so my wife won'…

Q. You recently wrote about the high cost of treating toenail fungus with the prescription medicine Jublia. I found a better approach after trying several over-the-counter products without success. A …

Q. I have been using Afrin Nasal Decongestant Spray for two decades. My mom started me on it when I was a kid with bad allergies and then I couldn't stop. I finally got off Afrin by using Flonase and …

Q. My friend sent me information about the positive effect of black raspberry on mice with Barrett's esophagus. I'm wondering how much black raspberry powder I should consume per day to help my own Ba…

Q. My husband's doctor says he's fine except for being borderline diabetic. My husband retired recently and is now in the house all day. He hardly eats during the day. He thinks he's too fat, though h…

An amazing number of American youngsters is considered to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In some states, CDC data show that more than 10 percent of school children carries this …

Q. My wife is taking Januvia to control her blood sugar. Without Januvia her sugar level is 130 or more. With Januvia it is in the range of 110, which is close to normal. I heard an interview on the r…

We just want to offer a reminder that March 20, 2015, the Spring Equinox, is the last day on which our discount coupon for The People's Pharmacy aluminum-free MoM (milk of magnesia) roll-on deodorant …

Regular use of aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can protect against colorectal cancer, but not everyone benefits from this effect. Why Not Take Aspirin for Cancer Prevention? …

Many people drink diet soda with the intention of staying slim and healthy--or at least not getting any fatter. But a new study suggests that this strategy could backfire. SALSA Study in San Antonio I…

A large study from China found that people who took the B vitamin folic acid along with the blood pressure medication enalapril reduce their risk for a stroke. What the Researchers Did The researchers…

When men lose interest in sex, it is sometimes chalked up to a lack of testosterone. New research from Sydney, Australia, suggests, however, that a reduction in sexual activity can in and of itself lo…